Pocket Bushman

P

pogo

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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686
I am not a real die hard Cold Steel fan but, after reading impressive reviews I am thinking of getting one. The question about the lock bothers me though. I have read a couple stories where people got cut bad! I don't think they stated if the lock failed or were a little careless in closing it when they got cut. One reviewer stated it closes like a bear trap so, get your fingers out of the way when closing the blade. How does the steel perform as well? Thanks!:confused:
 
My understanding is the folks cut with these have strayed from the manufacturer's suggested method of closure. In other words close them as suggested and watch your fingers.

The steel is Krupp 4116 Stainless, this stuff has been around forever and is still in use so it can't be all bad. Like a lot of stainless it can be tough to sharpen if let get overly dull but it is an average quality steel, better than some of the other inexpensive stainless out there.
 
Absintheur said:
My understanding is the folks cut with these have strayed from the manufacturer's suggested method of closure. In other words close them as suggested and watch your fingers.

The steel is Krupp 4116 Stainless, this stuff has been around forever and is still in use so it can't be all bad. Like a lot of stainless it can be tough to sharpen if let get overly dull but it is an average quality steel, better than some of the other inexpensive stainless out there.
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That is my understanding as well. All accidents that I have read about have been due to errors in closing the blade, never lock failure.

Krupp 4116 is very similar to 420HC in composition. This steel can give decent performance for a field knife. I do not know to what hardness the CS is heat treated.
 
It is a good knife, for the price. The people who got cut must've been using the locking mechanism wrongly. I don't think that lock would fail easily at all.
 
The cuts are not due to lock failure. I have one and it's solid. The thing is that after the blade passes a certain point the lock will slam it open or closed. If your fingers are in the way as it slams shut it will take a nice deep bite. Just be mindful of that particular danger and don't get too distracted when closing it.
 
Locust said:
The cuts are not due to lock failure. I have one and it's solid. The thing is that after the blade passes a certain point the lock will slam it open or closed. If your fingers are in the way as it slams shut it will take a nice deep bite. Just be mindful of that particular danger and don't get too distracted when closing it.
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Some feel that the design is not safe. Not a question of lock failure just a higher likelihood of an accident with this particular knife. I think it comes with a warning sticker about opening/closing as per mfr instructions. Should be possible to use it safely. Just be mindful of the issue, specifically when closing the knife. Some cuts have been severe.
 
I recently got one myself and from my brief handling of it I feel confident to say I doubt the lock failed, it is about the most robust and secure I've seen. The one post I remember where someone got cut, it was from their hand slipping forward onto the blade as they were trying to close it.

I do it differently than the instructions say. I hold it in a firm grip with my index finger in the handle groove while pull the lanyard. No hand slipping that way. With my thumb, I move the blade just enough to disengage the lock (30 degrees maybe?), then move my fingers out of the way before closing it the rest of the way with the other hand. You better move them out of the way too, it does close hard. Sort of like closing a lockback in a way. It's easier to do than it sounds.
 
Keep your head up when opening and closing the knife and you'll be fine. It's not essentially a one-handed opening and closing design; it might be possible, but is unwise from a safety standpoint. Use it---and open and close it---with deliberate and careful intent, like any other knife, and it should function well for you. The lock is very strong, and failure seems to be a very remote possibility.

:thumbup:
 
It's a very sturdy knife and well worth the pocket change it takes to acquire it.
 
I got cut by this knife. Its sharp and very cumbersome. It much bigger than my 710, but the cutting edge is same size.

I say skip this knife and get a better one. The lock is very strong it won't fail. but opening and closing this knife pain in the a$$. The thumbstuds are useless. This knife takes two hands to open or close. The requirement of the lanyard to is not good in my opinion.

I recommend the Spyderco Tenacious. It's a very different knife, but it has a similar price, and will probably find it more useful.
 
I like the knife just because it's something different.It's large,but strong and light.You do have to pay attention when closing it.
 
I've got one and it's a hell of a knife and this coming from a Huge Spyderco Fan :)

As long as you're awake when you're closing it you'll be fine.

It loosened up quite a bit so you could use the thumb stud to open the blade one-handed.

One tip on closing it, keep the cord pulled when closing the blade and it doesn't "snap" shut.

Like I said, I like it a lot :)
 
Its a folder that is damn near tough enough to be a fixed blade.

Beware of trying to close it with wet hands. You'll slide off and get badly sliced. I like wearing my leather gloves when using the Bushman.
 
The lock on the Pocket Bushman seems to be one of the strongest and most secure locks on the market right now. That's pretty amazing for a $30 knife.
 
I feel the same way.I have gifted four pocket bushman.no one really said much until later.but after using them for a bit that couldn't shut up.dead nuts no blade play,that thing is so frickin sharp,IT EDC SO NICE,And so on.not one of these guys are big on cheep knives hmm.I put a slight re curve to mine for a little more bite best low cost knife i have seen for quite some time.
 
The pocket bushman is the survival folder.
It doesn't close like a beartrap but you might cut the tip of your finger off of you are not paying attention, my suggestion is to treat it like a two hand folder all the time.
 
macgregor22 said:
The pocket bushman is the survival folder.
It doesn't close like a beartrap but you might cut the tip of your finger off of you are not paying attention, my suggestion is to treat it like a two hand folder all the time.
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great advice!;)
 
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